‘A Nightmare On Your Street’ highlights Tory cuts to Families.

‘A Nightmare On Your Street’ Labour’s fourth party election broadcast of the 2010 election campaign highlights Tory cuts to ordinary hard working families.

Nigel says, “With Labour – The Choice Is Clear”

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

Labour believes that cuts this year would damage the recovery. Experts agree that a four year halving of the deficit is a reasonable starting point. The time to start cutting the budget deficit and its speed must be decided by a series of objective tests, not the Tory basis of political sound bites and dogma.

Don’t Trust the Tories with The NHS, Education and Public Services.

Diana Udall says “Rural areas need services just as much the towns.”

Diana Udall is Labour Spokesperson for Blakedown and Chaddesley

Clean streets are important to us all – there should be regular street cleaning in all areas. We shouldn’t have to phone up to get the litter removed or rely on voluntary clean-up days.
Improved public transport will enable those without cars to get around, both for work and leisure. I am please to see that taxi tokens for the disabled have been reinstated as a result of Labour pressure.
Labour’s policies will benefit all residents.

If elected to the District Council I, as part of the Labour team, will work to:

Remove the restrictions on the use of concessionary bus passes
Restore the full grant to “Dial-a-Ride”
Work with the County Council for improved and integrated public transport
Put pressure on the County Council to improve the condition of the roads & pavements.
Oppose the building of new council offices and use the money saved for front-line services.

Nigel says, “Labour Puts People First”

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

Our Labour Government is supporting local jobs and families, pensioners, our local schools, the police our NHS and Kidderminster Hospital.
Labour has protected banks and local jobs and businesses by direct investment, loans and other help to our local economy.
Labour is on your side. We are tackling the recession, controlling inflation and keeping interest rates low.
A Tory Government would make indiscriminate cuts, cause job losses, increase interest rates and increase inflation.

Tory Towers or Services? – Your Choice

Matthew Nicholls is Labour Spokesperson for Offmore & Comberton

Labour will reintroduce the use of concessionary bus passes before 9.30 am -cost £40,000.
Labour will bring back taxi tokens for OAPs and the disabled – cost £29,000.
Labour will reinstate the full grant to Parish and Town Councils – cost £28,500.

Matt Nicholls says, “Ask yourself this question — why do the Tories want a new £10 million Council Headquarters? They should spend this money on better services. It’s the Tories who control Wyre Forest and the County Council. It’s the Tories who are spending your money.
Don’t build Tory Towers, keep Wyre Forest Services.”

The Need for a Mobile Polling Station at Bliss Gate on Election Day

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

On 27th April I contacted the Chief Executive’s Dept at Wyre Forest District Council and formally asked for a Mobile Polling Station to be put outside the now closed Bliss Gate Pub. I have since followed this up with an email.
Earlier today I received complaints that many Bliss Gate residents “would not be voting” because of the one mile plus distance that they would have to travel to get to the Polling Station at Rock. I take this issue most seriously. Why can’t Wyre Forest District Council organise this facility? Is it cost? WFDC has £7 million of OUR Council Tax money stuck in Icelandic Banks. I know the WFDC staff are working extremely hard during this very busy election period. But my complaint, on behalf of Bliss Gate residents, is therefore directed to the Conservative Party who control WFDC. Let Democracy function at this very local level. Do not deny residents the right to vote!

Gary Watson promotes Labour’s Green Agenda

In order to combat Global Warming, Labour in Wyre Forest identifies carbon emission reductions as an urgent priority.

The WORCESTERSHIRE RENEWABLE ENERGY report suggests that biomass energy generation, (ie, produced from vegetation), could be a way forward locally. Of course, this would be a commercial venture, but the district council would be pivotal in enabling developments of this nature to take place.

Labour will do more than just note the contents of the renewable energy report. We will do everything in our power to persuade Wyre Forest District Council to promote realistic carbon-reduction policies such as this.

Labour’s Green Agenda

Jenny Knowles promoting Labour's Green Agenda

Jenny Knowles is the Labour Candidate for Lickhill.

Jenny Knowles calls on the district council to explore natural energy sources

As the Planning Authority, Wyre Forest District Council has a range of powers which can be deployed to improve the environment. Global Warming is the most pressing of Planet Earth’s environmental problems. Here’s one way in which the district council could help reduce damaging carbon emissions…

Energy is needed to provide power for heating homes. However, there is a natural source of heat, emitting no carbon, directly available to many homes. It is in the ground. Geothermal heating works, as its extensive use in Germany and Sweden proves. The district council should promote it to housing developers.

Vi Higgs’ Policy Priorities

Vi Higgs is Labour Spokesperson for Areley Kings
You can view further blogs at Areley Kings Labour

District Council Election : Thursday 6th May 2010

Promote a higher proportion of affordable housing in construction plans
Restore pride in our town centre
Oppose the construction of a new civic centre
Pursue achievable “green” goals

As stated in my election leaflets, watch this space for more details on each of the above priorities.

Bewdley Town Council Deputy Mayor, Paul Gittins, receives Ambulance Service Award.

Paul Gittins - Serving the Community

Congratulation to Labour Bewdley Town Council Deputy Mayor Paul Gittins who has received an award from the West Midlands Ambulance Service for his duties as a volunteer Community First Responder. The award is for Exemplary actions beyond the call of duty and for the most incidents attended in Worcestershire. Paul received the same award in 2007.

As a Community First Responder, Paul is trained to recognise and treat life threatening conditions. When on duty he is called to emergencies by ambulance control by mobile phone who also mobilize an ambulance at the same time. His duty is to start any treatment that is nessesary and to hand over to the ambulance service when they arrive. He attends incidents in his own car and carries a first aid kit with oxygen and a defibrilator. His calls include those suffering from chest pain and difficulty in breathing and falls. Although Pauls turn out area covers Bewdley, as he is on call through the night he often attends incidents in Kidderminster, Stourport, and Cleobury Mortimer particulary during the early hours of a week end when the First Respnders in these areas are busy or off call. Last year he received almost 500 calls and attended over 350 of them. So far this year he has received 100 calls and attended 75. Paul thoroughly enjoys his duty as a CFR as he did when he was a Retained Firefighter for 35 years and gets much satisfaction helping others in need.

Unemployment Falls in Wyre Forest

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

Unemployment fell by 104 in Wyre Forest during March. Therefore, 4.5% of our potential workforce is unemployed. a total of 2,623. This figure is still too high. However, it is relatively good news. I want to see investment and jobs on the British Sugar Site. Health and Educational Projects (Lea Castle) could get underway with proper investment from the publicly- owned banks (RBS & Lloyds TSB). Also, a green – technology Science Park could go ahead at the Lea Castle site or the former Sugarbeet site.
Let’s encourage entrepreneurs, government, Advantage West Midlands and the banks to go forward with these projects. Wyre Forest remains a great place to invest and to live.

Labour’s new party political broadcast with Peter Davison

View Labour’s new party political broadcast with Peter Davison – The Journey of Labours achievements over the last thirteen years.

The real face of the Conservative Party.

The real face of the Conservative Party. David Cameron says one thing – Tory MEP’s say another.

John Spellar MP visits Wyre Forest

John Spellar MP meets shoppers in Kidderminster

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

We had a very good day in Kidderminster yesterday. After canvassing in the morning, we were joined in the town centre of Kidderminster by Government Whip John Spellar MP, hot-foot from Warley. I would like to thank The Shuttle for covering the event. (Reporter Charlie and Photographer Miriam). Over many years in politics I have learnt that the press will cover events in their own way – whatever a politician may wish them to emphasise or ignore, the press will choose its own interpretaion. However, we did have a very good response (again), and John was pleased to have met a good cross section of Wyre Forest people, as was I.
This election, particularly in Wyre Forest, will be close. We have been on a political roller-coaster since 2001 when we lost our own MP. But I detect the “Protest Vote” episode is over. The Lib Dems, having refused to fight the last two elections,denying their few supporters a chance to even vote, now pop up, and surely do not expect any support around here? The Tories are pulling their hair out, particularly about national events,but we are confident of a win in Wyre Forest.

Tories responsible for neglect of Worcestershire Roads

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

A letter in last weeks Shuttle (16th April) draws attention to the bad state of many of our local roads, the A449 being one case in point. Letters Kidderminster Shuttle

It seems as if the Conservatives at County Hall have given up repairing the roads! The dangerous state of many surfaces (reported frequently by members of the public) is of major concern. The Labour Government is providing £100 million of extra money for English Councils to repair the roads. And local Councils had more money from Government towards the cost of all service provision. The Conservatives control all 7 Councils in Worcestershire. Why isn’t the money being spent?
We require a Road Repair Programme for Wyre Forest to be published. The impression given is that Conservatives at County Hall are out of touch and the Road Repair Programme is not a priority at this time – the beginning the new financial year. The public has a right to know when the Conservative County Council is going to properly address this issue!!

Lee Wright Labour Candidate for Aggborough and Spennells reported the bad state of the worcester road from the new roundabout to the worcester road island to worcester county council in January. www.fixmystreet.com/report/87066

Lee said:

“This is a main route into Kidderminster as well as through traffic on the A449. There are extensive potholes and the top road surface is broken in this section making the road dangerous for motorists and particularly for cyclists or motor cyclists.”

See Lee Wright blog 13th January.

No action has been taken by Worcester County Council.

Back the Ban to prevent repeal of the Hunting with Dogs Act

If elected, the Tories would repeal the Hunting with Dogs Act and make fox hunting legal again.

Join the fight against this barbarity by signing up Sign up to BacktheBan
Tell us why you are against moves in the next Parliament to allow foxes to be ripped apart at the teeth of hounds so we can use it in the campaign as it goes forward.

Job done – vi Higgs tackles Graffiti

Graffiti removed - Footpath, Abberley Ave to Areley Common

Vi Higgs is Labour Spokesperson for Areley Kings
You can view further blogs at Areley Kings Labour

Vi inspects one of the sites from which graffiti was recently emoved. “This initiative involved Labour, the PACT committee and local schoolchildren. I am keen to become involved in community action like this.“

Eddie Izzard’s Brilliant Britain Party Political Broadcast

Eddie Izzard’s Brilliant Britain is a tribute to Britain’s great people, and a heartfelt reminder that while the Conservatives may have changed their suits, they haven’t changed their beliefs or their policies.

Eddie Izzard’s Party Political Broadcast for the Labour Party is awfully good – Toby Young Telegraph

Nigel Knowles visits Diabetes Centre at Kidderminster Hospital

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

On Tuesday 13th April, I visited Fred Holland (Fundraiser and local Champion of Diabetes UK) at the Diabetes Centre at Kidderminster Hospital on a strictly non-political basis. Fred and the hospital staff have built up a most excellent service centre for patients with diabetes. In 1972 when Fred started to raise money, there were little or no service facilities for diabetes patients. Now, there is an established centre with a small lecture room where new patients recieve expert advice about how to deal with their illness, various display tables and information points, a comfortable waiting area, and of course. excellent staff, specialist nurses and doctors. I believe that Fred has made a real difference as well as the establishment of the Kidney Dialysis Suite. The Diabetes Centre is testimony to Freds hard work and Kidderminster Hospital’s provision of a much needed service. Labour’s NHS is as much needed now as when it was set up in 1948.

Nigel Knowles attends Launch of Labour Party’s Election Manifesto

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

I was very pleased to have attended Labour’s Election Manifesto launch on Monday at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Gordon Brown did a very good job in his address. He outlined the huge differences between a Labour Government which has rebuilt schools, hospitals and public services, and the Tories who would make cuts straightaway to the public sector and cause job losses.
Most of the Cabinet were present, as were of course the Press and TV. The contributions from representatives of Sky and The Sun were not welcomed by the audience, but respect for the Prime Minister curtailed a potentially loud and critical aclamation to their negative questions (the BBC fell into a similar category)
I shook hands with Gordon and told him I was representing Wyre Forest. He said, “carry on with the good work”, and I said that I would. Now back home in Bewdley we are actively working on Labour’s local campaign. Many people have clearly received my first Election Address and I have had many communications wishing the Party and myself good luck and success on Polling Day. I’m very grateful to those people who have responded in such a positive way.
Last Saturday, myself and a team of helpers held a “Meet the Candidate” event outside Kidderminster Town Hall. We gave away several hundred of my “Pledge Cards” and leaflets. I have to say the public’s response towards me was very good – sociable and supportive. A Labour gain is suggested by such events and our excellent canvass returns. Remember on 10th December 2009, Jamie Shaw won his seat from the Tory on Wyre Forest District Council. You read it here first!

The Labour Manifesto 2010

The Manifesto that Labour is launching today contains so much about our plans for the future but we also thought we’d try something a little different.

As well as new ideas, we now have new ways of sharing them. When we last launched a manifesto YouTube was 3 months old. Facebook and Twitter did not even exist. Now they are a part of the lives of millions all over the country.

And you can use them to spread Labour values.

Watch our animated manifesto film and share it with your friends

The manifesto is about how we’ll rebuild our economy – by creating one million more skilled jobs, tens of thousands of apprenticeships and investing in High Speed Rail – but you can do more than just read about it -you can watch it on YouTube.

The manifesto is about how we’ll reform and protect our public services by creating a new National Care Service, a thousand schools becoming part of high standard accredited schools groups and giving new powers to PCSOs to deal with anti-social behaviour – but you can do more than just read about it – you can share it with your friends online.

And the manifesto is about how we’ll renew our politics through votes on the voting age, the voting system and an elected Second Chamber – but you can do more than just read about it – you can use Facebook and Twitter to tell people about it.

Let’s show the country the future fair for all that we can build together

This is a word of mouth election. This is a campaign which will be won by people not posters funded by Ashcroft Millions. It will not be won somewhere else, by someone else – it will be won by us. So, watch the two minute film now and then share it with everyone you know.

Labour Manifesto Launch – Gordon Browns speech in full

My Priority : Affordable Housing for Wyre Forest

Jenny Knowles is the Labour Candidate for Lickhill.

Wyre Forest District Council identifies Housing as a current priority. However, I believe the council could achieve more than at present. With reference to affordale housing*, Wyre Forest has three crucial roles, as Planning Authority, funder and as partner with housing associations, especially the Community Housing Group. As your Labour councillor, I would strive to commit the council to a more vigorous implementation of its existing policy.

* Housing for rent or part-purchase; lower-cost housing to buy.

Labour’s proposed increase in National Insurance

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

Voters in Wyre Forest will make up their own minds about this. However, please consider Labour’s programme for economic growth by which jobs will be created and also that Public Services – Health, Education,Police, Fire etc, will be defended. The Tories have not been clear about where compensating savings will be made to their budget, if they do not implement the NI increase.
Consider also, that if you are earning £20,000 or less, as many people do in Wyre Forest, then with Labour’s plan, you will pay slightly less National Insurance. So it’s economic growth and job protection with Labour or uncertainty and job cuts with the Tories.
Already, one leading businessman from the TV programme “Dragon’s Den” who originally signed the Tories list opposing the NI increase has changed his mind for sound economic reasons and now supports Labour’s increase. At least he changed his mind before 6th May!

League Againt Cruel Sports

Nigel Knowles Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest.

You can view further blogs at Nigel Knowles blog

The League Against Cruel Sports is one of the many organisations whose campaigns I support. A very disturbing and cruel activity they have highlighted is the “Fighting Dogs” campaign where dogs are trained to fight each other as well as badger baiting. The media has brought this disgusting activity to the public’s attention, but more is needed to stamp it out. The actor Tamer Hassan has recorded this short film on YouTube which gives members of the public who suspect this happening near them a Crimewatch telephone number which they can use anonymously – 01483 524250.
A survey commissioned by The League Against Cruel Sports revealed that 69% of people think a prison sentence is the most appropriate punishment for an offence where a dog is set upon another animal to fight.

The future is ours to win

Today I visited Her Majesty the Queen to ask for a dissolution of Parliament and a General Election on May 6th.

I come from an ordinary family, in an ordinary town, and I’ve never forgotten where I come from, or the values – hard work, duty, fairness, telling the truth – my parents instilled in me.

And that’s why during this world recession the team and I have fought so hard for families on middle and modest incomes. And from now until polling day I will travel the length and breadth of Britain with one clear message:

Britain is now on the way to economic recovery.

And now is not the time to put it at risk.

Over the next few months we face big challenges and big decisions upon which our future success depend.

Get the big decisions right, as we did in the last eighteen months at a time of economic crisis when we led the way for the whole world, and prosperity, jobs and better schools and hospitals will result.

Get these decisions wrong and the livelihoods of thousands upon thousands of Britain’s families will be damaged. The economy is now starting to grow again but the wrong decisions by withdrawing money from the economy could damage our chances. Unemployment is falling but a party that does not believe in government action would put jobs at risk. Businesses are growing in confidence again and the party who would pull the rug from under the recovery could tip us back into recession.

So I am asking you the British people for a clear and immediate mandate to continue the urgent work of securing the recovery, building the industries of the future and creating one million new skilled jobs for the British people.

And as we cut the deficit by half over 4 years, I am asking you the British people for a mandate to protect our your hospitals, your schools and your policing.

I pledge this guarantee, a personal guarantee for you – that when you need to get in touch with the police, when you need cancer care, when you need access to a GP in the evenings or at weekends, when you need one to one tuition for your child, our public services will be there guaranteed to you and accountable to you and your family.

I ask also for a mandate to renew our public life and the publics trust.

Faith in our democracy has been rightly shaken by recent events.

I will set out a comprehensive plan to forge a new contract between those who serve and the people they are sworn to serve.

I am not a team of one, but one of a team. A team with the energy, the substance and the ideas to lead this amazing country in the second decade of this young century. And I say to the British people: our cause is your cause. The future is ours to win – now let’s get to it.